• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Bigwig's manky ears

Luciuslop

Luciuslop

Alpha Buck
Mr Bigwig is 6 years and 3 months, which for a Frenchman is a very good age.:love: About 4-5 weeks ago he developed an ear infection, for which he was prescribed Canaural with some baytril added to it and a course of Septrin. The Septrin was changed to Baytril after 2 weeks. The one ear has improved but the worst ear has shown no improvement. My vet suspects a middle ear infection and wants to x-ray Wiggy to confirm this. The only option for treating a middle ear infection is invasive surgery.

I just don't know what to do :( If Wigs was younger then I wouldn't hesitate. Vet has given me 2 choices - PTS Wigs :shock: or surgery. The surgery and x-ray will cost about £500-600. I don't care about the money. Should I risk the surgery in the hope that Wigs will be ok ? At his age he hasn't got a long life left, but it could buy him just a few more months. I just cannot face having him PTS when he is well and happy in himself.
 
Hi, I'm not really experienced enough to give any specific advice. I was just wondering if they could do the x-rays under sedation instead? If thats the only option and he's in pain or discomfort, and the money really isnt an issue, then i'd be tempted to go for it. If he's otherwise in good health he may well pull through ok.
 
It would be a major op and I think I'd want to try a longer course of abx first.
I have an 8 year old Bun with a history of recurrent middle ear infections and I would not put her through such a huge op. The success rate is not always very good and recovery is long and painful at times. My Bun responds well to systemic abx and anti-inflammatories. The course of abx needs to be long, 4-6 weeks.

There are several other abx that can be used aswell as Baytril and Septrin.
These include Ceporex, Depocillin, Zithromax. Metronidazole is an abx effective against anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobes may be involved in middle ear infections so a combination of abx might be something your Vet would consider.
 
Jack's-Jane said:
It would be a major op and I think I'd want to try a longer course of abx first.
I have an 8 year old Bun with a history of recurrent middle ear infections and I would not put her through such a huge op. The success rate is not always very good and recovery is long and painful at times. My Bun responds well to systemic abx and anti-inflammatories. The course of abx needs to be long, 4-6 weeks.

There are several other abx that can be used aswell as Baytril and Septrin.
These include Ceporex, Depocillin, Zithromax. Metronidazole is an abx effective against anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobes may be involved in middle ear infections so a combination of abx might be something your Vet would consider.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Jane. He has already had a 4 week course of anti-biotics and there has been no improvement in his bad ear. Each day I am getting the same amount of pus and gunk out. I forgot to mention that he now has some flamazine cream with a silver compound added to it - cannot remember exactly what it is - but vet says this silver stuff is effective aainst destroying bacteria. He has had this for week as well as the other treatment and there has been no improvement.

I will ring him tomorrow and mention trying the other anti-biotics. He is a small animal specialist and , whilst I tend to argue with him about the rats, I do take his word about bunnies. However, as you are just as knowledgeable as some vets, then its worth putting your point across to him.


I don't want to put Wigs through this op unless there really is no other alternative. And, I certainly will not consider PTS at present. I am willing to spend whatever it takes on treatment for him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Possible causes
Replies
19
Views
454
Helen1981
H
dex179
Head tilt but it's not E Cuniculi - Help!
2 3 4
Replies
70
Views
2K
InspectorMorse
InspectorMorse
bunny momma
Raven dental 8/1/23 ulcers on cheeks
Replies
16
Views
687
bunny momma
bunny momma
Back
Top